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How do you cope when your child stays with Ex?

24 replies

msatlantis · 13/12/2018 16:02

Just that really.

I have looked after my DS every night of his life since he was born after leaving my ex while pregnant due to overwhelming emotional abuse.

Ex is going to start having DS for a sleepover one night a month.
I am dreading it.
I have to trust the person I trust the least with the person who is most precious to me?
Feel like I can't cope.

OP posts:
ernjas · 13/12/2018 22:03

Bumping you as I can't imagine the stress of this. Maybe post in another category for higher traffic Thanks

TwistedChristmas · 14/12/2018 00:13

How old is your child?

Mine were 4 and 5 when their dad left. I hated every time they went to stay with him. I felt lost and didn't know what to do with myself. A divorced friend told me the time would come when I'd appreciate the time to myself and use it for a much needed rest. I didn't believe him but he was right. It's been nearly 6 years now and I miss them when they go but I have another child too and it's hard work being on my own with all 3 every day so those weekends are my breathing space when I can focus on my ds.

Should ds's dad ever get in touch and say he wanted to have a relationship with him I'd be devastated if he wanted him overnight. I've been on my own since i was pregnant with him so have never been without him so understand how you feel.

Does your ds have to go overnight?

It does get easier over time. That time and space for yourself is important to recharge as single parenthood is bloody hard.

Thanks for you OP.

goldengummybear · 14/12/2018 14:51

Organise something with other adults. Keep busy it does get easier!

CandyCreeper · 14/12/2018 16:42

Try to look at it as its only once a month, its not often at all, my ex is absent so kids dont go anywhere I would appreciate the break tbh just use it to pamper yourself/rest?

msatlantis · 14/12/2018 16:46

DS is 2.5. Such a happy little soul.
People say it will get easier, but I drop him off for daytime contact with a breaking heart; so I just can't imagine what I'll be like when it comes to a stayover.

Ex is cold. I wonder whether he'll comfort him in the night if he cries out. If he gets upset - will he attend to him.

OP posts:
msatlantis · 14/12/2018 16:47

Thanks for your replies too.
I will plan lots to keep busy. And while I may benefit from a rest, I know I'll be worried the entire time.

OP posts:
Lattesforlife · 14/12/2018 16:47

I was in very similar situation, and it reallly resonated with me when you said about trusting the person you trust least with someone so precious.

My ex left when I was pregnant, and started having over nights when Ds was about 5. Ds is now 6 and has started refusing to go with him over night quite vocally so we have back tracked.

I used to keep busy, try and do something for me that I couldn’t do normally so that it made the most of it. It’s hard, though it does get easier. I never felt like it was a proper break as I was on tenterhooks whole time anyway.

Squall · 14/12/2018 20:47

I do lots of distracting things. Go out for a walk, watch/ read things, sleep. Its hard, people say it gets easier but I’m not sure.

Guest275 · 15/12/2018 16:33

Only one night a month? Get over it.

Lattesforlife · 15/12/2018 16:34

Ahh guest aren’t you just lovely Hmm

SlowlyShrinking · 15/12/2018 16:36

Don’t let him stay? Why does he need to?

startingafresh1 · 15/12/2018 16:49

I try to do something that I can't do with DC in tow.

Also try to get stuff done so that when they return I can get some quality time with them without the distractions of admin of everyday life... So tidy up, clean, sort shopping, batch cook etc.

bumbother · 15/12/2018 17:42

Confused Why shouldn't he stay? The man is his dad. Not court in the land would say he couldn't have his son overnight based on anything OP has said.

Guest275 · 15/12/2018 19:16

Lattesforlife, I don't think one night a month is a big deal. Some people have 50-50 residency. How does OP ex deal with being seperated 29 nights a month from his child?

TwistedChristmas · 15/12/2018 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bumbother · 15/12/2018 20:10

@TwistedChristmas How do you know all that?

TwistedChristmas · 15/12/2018 20:48

Oh crap, wrong thread, sorry!!! Blush I'm posting on two similar threads and got them mixed up. Sorry OP!

Doyoumind · 15/12/2018 21:03

It is difficult. I left my ex because he was abusive. It was some time before overnights started.

It definitely does get easier. Try and find things to do when he is away.

It's not so easy if know your DC is unhappy there and is not being treated as you would treat them. Unfortunately there isn't much to be done as children have the right to spend time with parents even when they are bad parents. Has the contact been court ordered?

msatlantis · 15/12/2018 21:24

No, the contact hasn't been court ordered. Trying to come to our own arrangements.

OP posts:
msatlantis · 15/12/2018 21:29

After being emotionally abused, spat on and effectively made homeless by my ex; yes, it is a big deal to trust this man with my DS overnight.

OP posts:
SlowlyShrinking · 15/12/2018 21:39

He doesn’t sound like a good person to leave your child with. I don’t see the point of contact with arsehole abusive parents though.

RippleEffects · 15/12/2018 21:45

Has your ex pushed for the overnights?

My XH left when my DC were 1 and 3. Now 15 and 12 (soon 13). He's had the younger for two overnights so far. Lots of talk and promises over the years but it mutually didn't work out very well when it finally happened. Nothing catastrophic just lack of sleep and not quite the fun thing that he'd conjured up having a young child overnight to be. Elder is Autistic and more than a few hours is complex enough.

In theory when They're gone you enjoy a night off, have a nice meal and a few drinks etc. In reality you check your mobile every 10 seconds like a nervous twitch, ask people to ring off if they call incase your DC needs you, sleep with phone on your pillow, don't drink incase you're needed in an emergency. Then to top it off, they come home a bit tired but have survived and you further beat yourself up that you didn't enjoy your time to relax.

The next time they're out you might make it out the house for a coffee or supermarket shop, sleep with your mobile on the bedside table. Talk on the phone for a few moments. You're more prepared for an easy day on their return because you know they'll be a bit tired. And so it continues.

A decade goes by. I don't relish them being out, I still feel slightly anxious as I know that it doesn't always go brilliantly (this is just days mind in our case) but I know they'll be coming back, I don't fear for their safety in the same way, they are older and can call me if there are problems.

We stayed out the courts and have gone with our and the children's needs. Every other weekend and a night midweek formula doesn't fit all. If you can keep a communication line open and he can be honest about whether the sleepover works that's great. It's not easy but it's got to be better than handing over every penny you have to solicitors.

msatlantis · 15/12/2018 21:50

Thank for sharing Ripple.
Yes, he has just recently pushed to come to agreement re overnights.
I feel like I've 'waived' any opportunity I had to say no, even though he has been emotionally abusive to me (and other family members) as I've consented to all the day contact over the past year or so.

OP posts:
Guest275 · 17/12/2018 12:21

What do you mean when you say he's been emotionally abusive? What exactly did he do to you?

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